Correlation between follicle dimensions recorded by patients at home (SOET) versus ultrasound performed by professional care providers.

Introduction Serial measurements of the number of follicles and their growth by ultrasound is a standard way of monitoring fertility treatments using controlled ovarian stimulation. This is stressful for both the patient and the professional. Self-operated endovaginal telemonitoring (SOET) is more patient friendly and less time-consuming. Aim of the study The goal of the study is to see if there's a correlation in the number of follicles and in two- dimensional growth between recordings made using SOET versus measurements performed by a professional sonographer. Results Three different ultrasound moments were recorded and compared in a total of 15 women. At time A an ultrasound was performed by the patient at home using SOET at the decision time of triggering. At time B an ultrasound was also recorded by the patient, 24 hours later. At time C an ultrasound was performed by a physician using a high end ultrasound device immediately prior to oocyte retrieval, 12 hours later than time B. The correlation in number and two-dimensional size between the different measurement moments was calculated. There is an excellent correlation in follicle count between time B and C. The difference in mean two-dimensional size between different measurement moments was not statistically significant. Conclusion SOET ultrasound correlates well with ultrasound performed by a professional in number of follicles. SOET is a good alternative for monitoring controlled ovarian stimulation in a well-defined population group of normal responders, especially near the end of the ovarian stimulation.